Position rings for drumsticks



June 16, 1964 A. R- SIMPSON, JR

POSITION RINGS FOR DRUMSTICKS Filed July 19, 1962 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent POSITION RINGS FOR DRUMSTICKS Allan R. Simpson, J12, 5656 Springlake Road NW., Canton 8, Ohio Filed July 19, 1962, Ser. No. 211,042 1 Claim. (Cl. 84-422) This invention relates to means for positioning drumsticks for a drummer. More particularly, it pertains to positioning rings for securing on drumsticks.

In order for a musician to maintain continued control of drumsticks while playing drums, the sticks should be held to maintain a maximum of pivotal movement and relaxation. Indeed, there is a proper position for holding a drumstick in each hand. The rightand left-hand positions are different, the left hand being held under the stick and the right hand being held above the stick. Moreover, the left hand is held closer to the center of gravity of the stick than the right hand.

Various means have been provided in the past for aiding and maintaining drumsticks in proper hand positions for drummers. Some of such prior means have served the purpose of improving the grasp of the drumstick by eliminating slippery conditions due to perspiration. Other drumsticks have been provided with surface grooves at spaced positions between which the drumstick is held for proper control. Sufiice it to say, most of the prior means have been unsatisfactory for various reasons, including the inability to adjust the position of the limits where necessary.

The device of the present invention provides a detachable pair of rings which may be positioned on each drumstick at positions preferred by the user. The rings may be spaced closer or wider apart, depending upon the size of the hand of the user.

Such rings are particularly desirable for beginners as an aid to learning the proper positions for holding the drumsticks in proper balance. It has been found, however, that professional drummers prefer the use of the rings because a continuous comfortable grip is subconsciously maintained during extended periods of playing. In other words, for the professional drum player, the use of position rings provides for more relaxation, which in turn results in a greater achievement of playing skill and artistry.

Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide position rings for drumsticks which may be attached to any drumstick at locations preferred by a musician.

It is another object of this invention to provide position rings for drumsticks for instructing beginning musicians of the proper positions for holding and maintaining balance during playing.

It is another objectof this invention to provide position rings for drumsticks for professional drummers to enable their subconsciously holding the sticks at proper control positions for greater relaxation.

Finally, it is an object of this invention to achieve the stated objects in a simplified and inexpensive manner.

These and other objects and advantages apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and claims may be obtained, the stated results achieved, and the described difficulties overcome by the discoveries, principles, apparatus, parts, elements, combinations, and subcombinations which comprise the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the foregoing general statements, preferred embodiments of whichillustrative of the best modes in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles-are set forth in the following description and shown in the drawings, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claim forming part hereof.

The nature of the improved drumstick position ring construction of the present invention may be stated in general terms as including a first annular member mounted on a drumstick at a first location, a second annular member mounted on a drumstick at a second location spaced from the first annular member, and the two annular members enclosing the limits for manually gripping and holding a drumstick in proper balance.

Byway of example, the embodiments of the improved position rings for drumsticks are shown in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a drumstick showing a pair of hand position rings mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another drumstick showing a pair of position rings of a different type mounted thereon;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the rings shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4-is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one ring shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing another embodiment of the drumstick shown in FIG. 2; 1

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing another embodiment of the drumstick shown in FIG. '2;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the position ring shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 are plan views of various embodiments of the rings shown in FIG. 2.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In FIG. 1 a drumstick is generally indicated at '1; it includes a point 1a and a butt 1b with an intermediate portion therebetween. A pair of position rings 2 and 3 are mounted on the intermediate portion and are secured in place at longitudinally spaced positions by friction fit, as shown in FIG. 3. Each ring 2 and 3 has an inside diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the drumstick 1. Each ring 2 and 3 is shaped like a key ring with overlapping portions which terminate at 2a and 2b (FIG. 7) for maintaining a tight grip on the surface of the drumstick.

The spacing between the rings 2 and 3 include the intermediate portion of the drumstick 1. If the drumstick 1 is held in the right hand, the spacing is farther from the center of gravity of the stick than where the drumstick is held in the left hand. The reason for that difference is that the right-hand drumstick is held above the hand during playing and the left-hand drumstick is held under the hand. Thus the center of grip position of the left hand is closer to the center of gravity of the drumstick.

The rings 2 and 3 are sufficiently large to be felt by the user and to thereby unconsciously cause him to hold each stick properly between the rings. However, the rings are not suiiiciently great in height or width to constitute a serious detriment to proper use of the stick. The rings 2 and 3 have a sufliciently tight grip on the stick to prevent their slipping from desired positions; but, if necessary, the rings may be moved to change adjustment.

In FIG. 2 a drumstick 4 is provided with a pair of spaced rings 5 and 6 where they are held by ring-retaining means including aperture means such as holes 7 and a detent or pin 8 extending into the hole from the inside portion of the ring 5. Two or more holes 7 may be provided at the position of each ring 5 and 6 for maintenance of the rings at the desired position. Thus the rings may be placed closer or farther apart, depending upon the size of the hand of the user.

As shown in FIG. 5, the aperture means may include holes 9 which extend only partially through the stick. The holes 9 are provided in pairs on opposite sides of the stick for reception ofthe oppositely disposed pins 8.

In FIG. 6, each pair of spaced holes 9 may be provided with an annular groove 10 in the surface of the stick, which groove is adapted to receive the inner peripheral portion of the position ring 5, which ring is provided with oppositely disposed and inwardly directed pins 8 which are seated in the holes 9.

Various embodiments of the rings and 6 are shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. Each ring 5 and 6 has abutting ends 11. Moreover, although two rings are shown in the drawings, it is understood that where desirable, only one ring may be provided and located at Whatever position is comfortable for the particular musician.

The rings are composed of any suitable material such as metal or plastic, which material has sufficient elasticity to maintain a tight frictional fit on the surface of the drumsticks. In that manner the rings 2 and 3 of the key-ring type are held securely in place, as shown in FIG. 1. Likewise, the rings 5 and 6 having detents or pins 8 are detachably secured in place by the pins 8. As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the pins 8 may be singular or plural in number. Where two pins 8 are provided, they are preferably located diametrically from each other with one pin either adjacent one end 11 of the ring (FIG. 9), or 90 therefrom (FIG. 10).

The device of the present invention satisfies a basic need in the art of playing drums in that position rings are fixedly secured at desired locations on drumsticks so that a drummer will subconsciously maintain a proper grip on each drumstick. A drummer may have the undesirable habit of permitting one or both drumsticks to move gradually out of the balanced position, which position has been accepted as conducive to extended relaxed playing with a maximum of artistry. The positioning d rings serve as unconscious reminders to a musician to hold the drumstick properly without such slipping.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations have been implied therefrom as such words are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described herein is by way of example and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact construction shown.

Having now described the invention, construction, operation and use of a preferred embodiment thereof and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful position rings for drumsticks and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the are are set forth in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a drumstick having a butt, a point, and an intermediate portion, a pair of spaced hand-positioning rings detachably mounted on the intermediate portion on opposite sides of the center of gravity and having an inside diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the intermediate portion, means for securing each ring in desired position on the stick and including at least one protuberance on the inside circumference of each ring, and the means including a corresponding protuberance receiving aperture in the intermediate portion for each ring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 152,877 Geldard Mar. 1, 1949 872,448 Penhallow Dec. 3, 1907 897,201 Gannon Aug. 25, 1908 2,633,205 Rayder Mar. 31, 1953 

